Employers admit to being influenced by other firms when it comes to office return: survey
Australia is seeing a "domino effect" when it comes to office-return mandates as employers say their policies are influenced by other firms, according to a new report.
It reveals that 84% of employers are influenced by return-to-office mandates from other businesses when determining their own office-return policies.
Among them, 34% said they are significantly influenced by other mandates, while 49% said they are moderately influenced.
"We're observing a fascinating domino effect in the return-to-office landscape this year, pressuring businesses to conform," said Nicole Gorton, Director at Robert Half, which did the survey.
"Employers are back in the driver's seat and dictate office attendance, knowing others are doing the same," she said in a statement.
According to the report, Queensland employers are most likely to be influenced by office-return trends among businesses (87%). This is followed by New South Wales and Western Australia (86%).
On the other hand, Victorian employers are less likely to be influenced by office return trends, as 25% of businesses there said such policies do not affect their decisions.
The average number of days mandated by employers is 3.64, but a five-day in-office work week is already being implemented by 39% of employers.
Meanwhile, the domino effect when it comes to office-return mandates comes amid a growing acceptance among employees over such policies.
Nearly two in three (63%) of employers said employee attitudes over in-office mandates have significantly or somewhat improved.
Only 28% said they stayed the same, while nine per cent said they somewhat or significantly worsened.
"While hybrid work models remain prevalent, the noticeable increase in the number of employers mandating a return to the office as well as increase in the number of days that staff are required to attend is likely influenced by an improvement in staff attitudes and observed mandated days in other businesses," Gorton said.
Despite the more "office-centric work environment" this year, however, Gorton urged employers to strike the right balance in their organisations.
"As employers adapt their work arrangements to meet the evolving needs of their business and their workforce, they are doing so while emphasising in-person collaboration for employee morale, productivity, and client service," she said.
"However, finding the balance between in-office needs and employee wellbeing is instrumental to business success."
